Bush Hog blade angle question

[adamlj]

Quick question for guys with bush hog experience. I'm working on refurbishing an old 5' Bush Hog RB60R. It needs a little TLC but overall not bad for a 35+ year old machine. My question is related to the blades. Previous owner told me it had new blades when I got it, and they are in good shape. I can see they're stamped 'Bush Hog'. What seems odd is the blade tips are angled up. The tips are about an inch higher than the mid section of the blade where the offset bend is. When I first noticed it I figured I had a bent blade, then I noticed they're both angled up in the same way. Hopefully you can see what I'm talking about in the attached photo. I'm thinking about taking them off and having someone 'straighten' them with a press, so the top section that attaches to the stump jumper and bottom section with the cutting edge are parallel to one another. Or, are they supposed to be this way for some reason?? Hopefully this explanation makes sense. Thanks in advance.

 

[oosik]

So far I've checked out six brands of bush hog. I'm thinking of a rotary or flail. I've yet so see one with blades bent like that. Don't rebend the blades until you get more replies. This could be some optional, special type of blade.

Besides - if the unit runs & cuts fine - who cares. That's an excellent picture. Shows exactly what you are talking about.

Welcome to TBN and the forum.

 

[Midniteoyl]

so the top section that attaches to the stump jumper and bottom section with the cutting edge are parallel to one another

Parallel is the way they should be, asfaik.

 

[Williy]

The riding mowers have blades that are turned up on the
end to assist the grass to go out the discharge.
The air flow also assists in carrying the cut grass blades out the discharge.
DON'T CHANGE THE SHAPE OF THE BLADES!!!!!!!!!

willy

 

[workinonit]

The mower blades following edge is turned up to increase turbulence. That's a different issue from what he has.

 

[Cougsfan]

if I am lookin at the picture correctly, It appears the blades have double bends, one to lower the blade right after the mount, and a second bend in the opposite direction further out to bring the cutting portion back parallel to the ground. Is that a correct description? If it is I would say it is not necessarily normal, but perfectly acceptable. As long as the cutting surface is parallel to the ground it is OK, You just have to raise the bush hog a bit higher to cut at the same height if the blades were straight. If the cutting edges aren't parallel to the ground, however, something is definitely wrong.

 

[Cataclysm]

Get the number off your blades. Confirm they are the correct blade for your machine. From the pic's I'd say they aren't the correct blades. The blade should be parallel to the ground.

I would not attempt to alter those blades. Rotary cutters are already way dangerous with everything working properly.

 

[RickB]

My take is those blades are bent. Use them the way they are or if that doesn't give you an acceptable cut quality replace them.

 

[mcfarmall]

I tried to straighten a bent rototiller tine and it cracked with a loud report. Sounded like a 9mm pistol round! I would be careful trying to straighten you blade.

 

[nyone]

It's a brush hog...if it's not vibrating to hell and make tall grass shorter I wouldnt mess with it.

 

[workinonit]

Agree 100%. You cant straighten those blades. They will break. If you don't want to run them like they are throw them away and get another set. I would run them. They cut weeds.

 

[5030]

Agree 100%. You cant straighten those blades. They will break. If you don't want to run them like they are throw them away and get another set. I would run them. They cut weeds.

They are heat treated so bending them would fracture them anyway.

 

[stevewarner1957]

As suggested, get the blade numbers and check to see if they are correct for your mower. I suspect they are a high suction variant or brush blade of some type. But if it mows, use it! Also if you change blades be sure and buy the bolt and nut ad most are not reusable as the nuts are lock type they will throw a blade if it backs off. That is BAD!!

 

[Zebrafive]

I too think they are the wrong blades, or somehow both were bent. I would worry about them contacting and cutting the upper deck, the "can opener" affect you sometimes see on used decks.

 

[CoyPatton]

I will add my 2 cents worth.
Bending heat treated metal without heating it will result in a stress fracture. If you are lucky you realize this while bending it. If you are not lucky, you realize it when you throw off a chuck of metal while mowing. Expect damages to something or someone when the latter happens. It could be DEADLY!

As for heating it to bend it, you may avoid the stress fracture, but you have lost the hardening of the metal. Expect to have serious nicks in the blades just from mowing thicker woody material that you were able to cut before.

SO BOTTOM LINE—leave be, either use as they are if they run ok on the mower or replace!

 

[Bearsixty7]

Get the number off your blades. Confirm they are the correct blade for your machine. From the pic's I'd say they aren't the correct blades. The blade should be parallel to the ground.

I would not attempt to alter those blades. Rotary cutters are already way dangerous with everything working properly.

That is my thought as well. those are the wrong blades for that cutter most likely.

 

[Ford850]

This same thing was discussed in this thread, specifically posts 29 and 41.

Rotary Cutter - Problems with my new Bush Hog 3008

1. Go slower 2. Make sure rotary cutter deck is tilted forward slightly (3/4" higher in the back than the front) to help expel the grass out the back so you are not cutting the same grass over and over.

www.tractorbynet.com

Bush Hog blades that were bent just like the ones shown in this OP. In the thread I linked above, Rustyiron replaced the bent BH blades with new ones and the same thing happened again. I've never seen blades bend like that before, but now there are 3 examples and all from BH brand.

 

[Thomas]

Helps to keep the inside of deck collecting mostly damp cutting

 

[TC 30]

They do appear to be bent up at the tip a little. Here is an illustration of the blade. I wouldn't try to straighten them, if it is cutting good, cut away. Replace them for peace of mind.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

It's a brush hog...if it's not vibrating to hell and make tall grass shorter I wouldnt mess with it.

This seems to be the wisest advice!